Randy Jay Braun, who is an aerial drone photography specialist, will be guest speaker at the 6 to 8 p.m. Akaku Upstairs Salon Series on Thursday.

Braun was one of the original North American employees to help Chinese technology company DJI emerge as a powerhouse in consumer and commercial drones. He helped introduce drone technology, safety, methods and positive uses to other sectors, including home inspection, agriculture, wildlife conservation and humanitarian response.

Braun will present drone video and photography. He will discuss how he has created original drone techniques through experimentation and will finish with a question-and-answer session.

Akaku is at 333 Dairy Road, Suite 204 in Kahului.

To RSVP for this free event, contact 871-5554 or info@akaku.org.

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Women’s group plans luncheon

Ala Lani United Methodist Women will have a salad luncheon at noon Saturday at Ala Lani United Methodist Church, 50 S. Papa Ave. in Kahului.

The cost for this buffet of salads and beverage is $10. Proceeds will benefit global missions.

Classes will be held weekly from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays in the Community Service Building at University of Hawaii Maui College in Kahului. The workshop begins this week and registration will be accepted at that time.

Grandparents will have the opportunity to take classes on topics like stress management and communication skills. The program also includes supervised activities for grandchildren of all ages and free dinner.

This project is supported by the University of Hawaii Manoa, Cooperative Extension Service and GRANDcares Maui.

For more information, contact grandcaresmaui@gmail.com.

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NVMC announces pop-up display

The Nisei Veterans Memorial Center has announced that a pop-up display of WWII vignettes will be open to the public from noon to 4 p.m. through May 26.

The vignettes range from the music of the nisei soldiers, which provided both entertainment for the troops and maintained traditions of military ceremonies, to personal memorabilia from the collections of Pfc. Susumu Fukuyoshi of the 100th Infantry Battalion and Pfc. Hiroichi Tomita of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team.

The Nisei Veterans Memorial Center is located at 665 Kahului Beach Road in Kahului.

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Residents urged to donate used books

Used books donated each month to the Savers store on Dairy Road that closed recently can now find a new home at three bookstores operated by Maui Friends of the Library, according to a news release.

“We urge residents who brought 4,000 books a month to Savers to now donate them to our three stores at Queen Ka’ahumanu Center, The Wharf Cinema Center in Lahaina and the Puunene location behind the old sugar mill. Otherwise they are likely to go into the landfill,” said MFOL President John Tryggestad.

“Donations to the three stores help support Maui’s eight county libraries. The nonprofit gifts $10,000 a year to each library to run programs and purchase periodicals and other materials.

The stores accept books as well as CDs, DVDs and videos in good condition. Donations are tax deductible.

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Schultz honored at MEO celebration

Pastor Beth Schultz was recently honored during Maui Economic Opportunity Inc.’s annual Cesar Chavez Celebration. Schultz was recognized for her dedication and selfless service improving the lives of Hispanic immigrants and farm workers.

One nominator said, “Beth Schultz spends herself on others. Her time, resources, and even her home are investments she makes for others’ benefit rather than her own.”

MEO assists more than 2,000 Hispanic individuals annually through its County of Maui Enlace Hispano program and another 50 individuals through the federal National Farmworkers Jobs program.

Cesar Chavez was an activist with the United Farm Workers who touched the lives of millions with his nonviolent campaigns and his steadfast yet gentle manner. He died in 1993.

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PYCC offers summer programs

The Pa’ia Youth & Cultural Center will offer summer programs from May 30 to Aug. 5.

The programs are available for children from 9 years old to high school.

Summer offerings will include outdoor activities, media mentorship, cooking classes and a chance to be a DJ for PYCC’s FM station, RadiOpio 88.9FM. The Malama Pono Project Venture program will offer field trips and ocean activities. The PYCC’s StoneWave Skatepark is available to skaters of all ages, with free-skating and skate coaching.

Programs will be scheduled with staff upon completion of PYCC membership form. Membership is free. See www.pyccmaui.org for an application.

For more information, call 579-8354 or see www.pyccmaui.org.

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Earth Day event set for Sunday

The Maui Earth Day Festival will take place from 3 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 1136 Uluniu Road in Kihei.

Admission for adults is $8. Keiki will be admitted for free.

There will be live music, speakers, food, keiki activities and vendors.